Thousands protest Puerto Rico telephone sale

Thousands protest Puerto Rico telephone sale

On October 1, more than 100,000 people came from all over Puerto Rico to a protest in San Juan to demand that the government cancel its plans to sell the Puerto Rico Telephone Company (PRTC).

The protest was part of a national 24-hour general strike, which began with smaller demonstrations in various cities.

The protest was called by more than 40 labour unions and more than a dozen non-governmental organisations, all organised in the Broad Committee Against Privatisation under the slogan "Puerto Rico is not for sale".

The committee — led by Alfonso Benitez Rosa, president of the 4000-member Independent Union of Telephone Employees (UIET) — warned that the October 1 actions are only the beginning of a massive campaign.

Benitez called on Governor Pedro Rossello to hold a referendum and gave the governor a week to respond. Protest organisers speaking at the demonstration said they would consider calling an open-ended strike if Rossello continues his plans to sell the company.

In August, a public opinion poll conducted by leading daily El Nuevo Dia showed 67% of Puerto Ricans opposing privatisation of the PRTC; 75% believe that if the company is privatised phone rates will go up, and 73% believe jobs will be lost.

[From News Update on the Americas.]

From GLW issue 293